RESPONSE OF SELF-CONSOLIDATING PASTE SYSTEMS CONTAINING ACACIA GUM AS AN ORGANIC ADMIXTURE

Abstract

This study investigates the response of Self-Consolidating Paste systems (SCPs) with the addition of an organic admixture, Acacia Nilotica Gum, a species of trees grown in Pakistan belonging to the genus “Acacia”. Its gum is extracted from the tree and is used in a number of application primarily as an emulsifier. This research uses NMR and FTIR experimental techniques to report the characterization of Acacia Gum (AG). The primary aim of this study is to investigate the usage of Acacia Gum in SCPs as a Viscosity Modifying Admixture (VMA). VMAs are used in SCPs to impart stability on the mix and reduce bleeding and segregation. The gum was grinded to powdered form and added in SCPs in ratios of 0.33%, 0.66% and 1% with respect to the cement content and its effect on a number of properties of SCPs was studied through experimentation including Water demand and Setting time determination, Flow test, Calorimetry, Shrinkage and Strength Tests. This study records and analyzes the results of these tests to evaluate the suitability of using Acacia Gum as an organic admixture in SCPs. Furthermore, Secondary Raw Materials (SRMs) were incorporated in two additional formulations in the presence of AG and the response of SCPs was studied. The effects of SRMs on the properties of SCPs are well-established in literature and the knowledge has been utilized to achieve improvement of SCPs containing Acacia Gum.